COLLABORATION ACROSS THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN BOAL EXTRUSION UK AND ALUK

In the aluminium industry, true sustainability is built on long-term partnerships, shared expertise, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The collaboration between BOAL Extrusion UK and ALUK is a clear example of how technical design, responsible sourcing and customer-focused thinking come together to support the circular economy.

As part of the ALFED campaign developed by Content With Purpose (CWP), a short video captures this partnership in action - featuring voices from both companies and highlighting how their collaboration delivers measurable impact.

Every step considered

“Every step in the process is carefully considered to get the best result,” the video begins. “Where we purchase, how we manufacture, how we deliver - and ultimately then give the customer the best opportunity to meet their customers’ demands in terms of sustainability and carbon emission calculations.”

This mindset is reflected throughout BOAL’s operations. From sourcing recycled aluminium to investing in energy-efficient technology, every decision is made with sustainability at its core.

Technical expertise at the front end

BOAL Extrusion UK’s technical team plays a vital role early in the process helping customers design aluminium profiles that are not only functional, but also efficient to produce and consistent in quality. This front-end support is a key reason ALUK has trusted BOAL for over a decade.

“We’re experts in aluminium extrusion and we can help people design profiles that are efficient to run, that are reliable, that are repeatable,” says Alan Lucas, Commercial Director at BOAL.

By collaborating closely during the design phase, BOAL enables partners like ALUK to optimise their systems - reducing waste, improving production flow, and enhancing long-term sustainability.

Closing the loop with recycled aluminium

BOAL Extrusion UK’s sustainability journey is rooted in circularity. A key part of that is sourcing aluminium with a high recycled content, produced from a mix of post-extrusion and post-consumer scrap. Their supplier, Hydro, recasts and recycles this material into new billet, enabling aluminium’s infinite recyclability to remain active within the supply chain.

The company also invests in technologies that reduce its carbon footprint. In early 2024, BOAL installed a new billet oven that cut gas consumption by 40%, saving the equivalent of 310 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Combined with the use of green energy and plant-based cutting fluids, these measures reflect a holistic approach to sustainability.

 “There are a couple of ways that we keep the CO₂ rating of our product so low and for the aluminium industry that means a carbon rating of less than 4 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of aluminium,” says Emma Swann, Managing Director at BOAL UK.

Sustainability in every decision

At BOAL Extrusion UK, sustainability isn’t a department - it’s a mindset. From plant-based cutting fluids used on site to a fully electric company car policy, environmental responsibility is embedded in daily operations. Waste is carefully separated, and scrap aluminium is reintegrated into the supply chain to support a circular economy.

 “Every decision we make has sustainability in the heart of it really,” says Emma Swann.

This philosophy extends from production to procurement, ensuring that every choice -whether technical or logistical - contributes to reducing environmental impact and supporting long-term resilience.

A partnership built on trust

The collaboration between BOAL Extrusion UK and ALUK spans more than a decade. A partnership grounded in shared values, technical alignment, and mutual trust. For ALUK, BOAL’s design expertise has been instrumental in improving production efficiency across their systems. By working closely with BOAL’s technical team, ALUK is able to fine-tune product designs to reduce waste and streamline manufacturing - benefits that extend to both companies.

What makes the partnership work is a consistent focus on quality, service and cost-effectiveness. These fundamentals are non-negotiable for ALUK, and BOAL delivers on all three. Underpinning this relationship is a shared mindset: flexibility, reliability, and a commitment to doing what’s promised. It’s a way of working that both teams recognise and rely on.

Watch the full video 

Discover how BOAL and ALUK are working together to close the loop and deliver low-carbon aluminium solutions.